Product category:
Stand-Alone Instruments
News Release from: Pi Technology | Subject: PiAutoSim SSC
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 05 May 2005
Tester turns to automotive multimedia
A new lower cost version of the PiAutoSim hardware-in-the-loop test simulator is primarily aimed at applications other than high end powertrains.
With multimedia interior electronics being a key interface to the vehicle for the consumer, it is imperative that the systems operate reliably and robustly, and so there is an increasing need for car manufacturers and their suppliers to be able to reliably test their in-car multimedia systems These systems are becoming increasingly complex, with multiple functionality through a common interface, and different behaviour possible depending on the mode of the vehicle
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 24 Dec 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Energy management toolkit jump starts hybrids
Vehicle engineers developing novel alternative fuelled vehicles can get a 'jump start' in developing the complex control systems required with the launch of a new energy management toolkit.
Seminars to extol autocode enabled technology
Pi Technology is to offer seminars in the UK sharing its research and development on autocode enabled technology.
This presents a myriad of combinations of state transitions that need to be repeatably tested under a variety of conditions, including fault conditions.
Given the sheer number of different ways the equipment can get into and out of particular modes, and the faults that can occur at any time, it is very labour intensive to try and run through all possible tests manually, especially if the system under test is distributed on a vehicle network.
Complex diagnostics functionality is becoming more a core part of multimedia systems software also, and manual testing of this in conjunction with the system's normal operation just won't be good enough.
Further reading
Rapid-prototyping platform hits the streets
OpenECU is a novel low-cost rapid-prototyping platform for vehicle control systems.
Translator eases switch to CAN
Automotive systems engineers have a new tool to ease the integration of on-vehicle CAN-based systems with legacy hardware.
Pi Technology's PiAutoSim hardware-in-the-loop test simulator has been used for many years in the development and test of powertrain systems, and has helped reduce the time needed to get products to market, while increasing the reliability of the customers' systems.
A new lower cost version of this equipment has recently been launched, called the PiAutoSim SSC, which is primarily aimed at applications other than high end powertrain.
A demonstrator has been developed based on the SSC platform, to show off its flexibility for in-vehicle multimedia system functional validation.
Currently the following functionality is planned, some or all of which will be showcased in the demonstrator: visual monitoring of the head unit to verify correct registration of messages on the display, and telltale lights from the instrument cluster; automatic mode sequencing and verification of correct system operation, eg change of audio source, CD track selection, bass, treble, balance, fade, volume etc; power moding to verify correct and fault condition operation; HMI verification providing a means of testing the interaction between the front panel and the system; RDS signal generation to test that aspect of the radio functionality; and automated button actuation on the front panel is planned to minimise intrusion into the unit under test.
This functionality may be developed in phase 2 of the demonstrator project.
The demonstrator has been commissioned in order to develop a variant of the SSC that provides the best possible functionality for the end user.
It will be used as a tool to refine requirements for the production system through discussion based on a working example.
The demonstrator will be on show at the forthcoming Automotive Testing Expo in Stuttgart, from 31st May to 2nd June 2005.
• Pi Technology: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
